Over 25 years ago Frankie Knuckles met a young Japanese producer in Tokyo named Satoshi Tomiie. Add legendary Fingers Inc. vocalist Robert Owens into the mix and the house-music classic “Tears” was born. In the annals of house music, few songs are as impactful and impervious to the test of time as “Tears.”

Talking to Tomiie about the details of his upcoming second album, New Day, due out May 20 on his Abstract Architecture label, Tomiie recalls how he learned about the Godfather’s passing a year ago today.

“I was at my friend’s house in Buenos Aires just chilling out,” Tomiie remembers of the say day. “Hector [Romero of Def Mix] called me. Nobody really calls me on my phone, except for a few people. I thought it had to be something urgent. The news was quite shocking.”

How did Tomiie deal with the loss of his mentor? “I didn’t,” he says flatly. “I couldn’t deal with it, basically. There was no way. It was impossible. I hadn’t spoken to Frankie in years, and that made it more difficult. Nobody expected this news.”

The globetrotting Tomiie says putting together an event last May at Air in Tokyo allowed him to keep busy and pay tribute to Knuckles in his own personal way.

“One way to ‘deal with it’ was with the party I did in Tokyo, which is where I met him,” Tomiie says. “His performance in Tokyo changed everything for me. I wanted to do a party in Tokyo to pay my big respects for what he’s done and what he did for me. He changed my life.”

Tomiie called upon DJ friends DJ Nori, Ko Kimura, Kenji Takimi and DJ Kent to spin at the party. Robert Owens, who also played a pivotal role in Tomiie’s early career, flew in to perform with Tomiie. (Listen to a podcast from the event here.)

“Some of the classics I listened to at his first performance in Tokyo from Fingers Inc., well, nobody had the instrumental,” he says. Tommie spent several days recreating the songs so Owens could perform the songs at the event.

“It was a part of the process of dealing with it,” he estimates.

All these years later, how does Satoshi Tomiie, who went on to craft future club classics like “Love in Traffic,” look back on “Tears” and the impact of his debut single?

“It’s my first record and my starting point. It came out in 1989, 25 or 26 years ago. My attitude to music is to look forward and do new things. I’m not someone who looks back a lot but this was a whole different time to make music. It’s a symbol of when house music was introduced to the world. It was a symbol of a good time for that style.”

Look for an in-depth interview with Satoshi Tomiie about his second full-length album publishing next month. Listen to Cevin Fisher’s exclusive Big Shot Guest Mix tribute to Knuckles here.

March saw London’s Needwant present Traxx – Vol. 2 – My House is Your House helmed by Anna Walls, a sublime deep-house DJ mix compilation featuring an array of subterranean musical offerings by luminaries including Bicep, Detroit Swindle and Dusky as well as tracks from talented newcomers like young Polish producer Klaves and LA’s Evan Iff. Berlin-via-Los Angeles mixmaster Steve Huerta‘s “RomComCrime” is one of the exclusive jams off the compendium, and it’s a gem. Since this mix has been in heavy rotation here for weeks at Big Shot’s HQ, we checked in Huerta to find out which five songs he’s currently loving with at the moment.

Steve Huerta & Urulu’s 25 Cent Color EP is released April 13, 2015 on Dirt Crew. Traxx – Vol. 2 – My House is Your House is out now on Needwant.

1. Mandar – “Wet Paul”
Can’t get enough of this tune at the moment. The track is super simple but incredibly effective. I love how the melody is driven by the pitched hi-hats — add some lush pads and bubbly bassline for support and done! Great stuff from the Frenchmen.

2. Stefan Ringer – The Fix EP
Don’t know much about this guy except that he’s from Atlanta, which is a pretty unlikely place to have developed house beats as groovy as this. The EP is smooth as butter all the way through. Really nice R&B and soul influence all over this stuff, and there are especially nice vocals on “IFY.”

3. Nail – “Stay With Me”
Nail needs no introduction. The dude has been churning out house bombs for who knows how long. It’s been cool to see so much new and re-released stuff coming out recently, notably on Shabby Doll Records. This double EP with eight originals shows all facets of great Nail tunes. But my fave of the bunch is definitely “Stay With Me.”

4. Lawrence – Manhattan EP

I became a big fan of Lawrence after seeing him play at Panorama Bar last year. I was intrigued by the patience in his stripped back selections. Simple moody melodies and percussion that provided just enough to really move the dance floor. His productions work much in the same way. Just picked up this record. “Manhattan” is a bomb!

5. Hashman Deejay – “Mozaic”
Much like Hashman Deejay’s other tracks, “Mosaic” is a lengthy journey through layers of subtle percussion and fluttery melodies. I always find myself wondering how 12 minutes could have gone by so quickly. I’ve been really loving this guy’s output all-around. He seems like the type of artist who truly makes no compromises.

On March 31, 2014 our heart was broken. Frankie Knuckles, the Godfather of House and one of the nicest men to walk the earth, left us. He was 59, and he passed way too soon.

In the weeks leading up to the first anniversary of the Godfather’s passing, I thought about how best to pay tribute to this amazing man, one who I had the pleasure of interviewing many times over the years. How do you pay homage a DJ/producer giant who toured the world for much of his life, bringing joy to so many people at clubs and festivals? The answer was right in front of me: You celebrate his eternal spirit by honoring the legacy of the music.

Enter Cevin Fisher, the famed NYC house DJ/producer. Back when I was running Mixer magazine, I cajoled Cevin into mixing United DJs Of America Volume 11. It was Cevin’s first mix CD — a deep session of soulful, energetic house that still holds its weight since its release in 1999. Since Cevin took a few musical cues from Frankie, I reached out and put forth the idea of him creating a commemorative DJ mix of Frankie’s seminal tracks. Cevin immediately and enthusiastically agreed.

“I honestly felt like Frankie was in the room with me when I did the mix…. At some point the sadness turned to happiness. Frankie’s music does what music is supposed to do: It’s beautiful music, so when I hear a song by Frankie now, I just smile.”

“I was in the studio when I logged into Facebook and saw the news,” Cevin remembers of that sad day one year ago. “I was devastated. I just sat at the computer and looked at all of the messages about Frankie. I felt so bad for David Morales, Judy, Hector Romero and the whole Def Mix crew, because I knew this was a tough loss for them as well as for the whole music scene, especially for the dance music community.”

“Frankie was a huge inspiration to me and definitely a big influence,” Cevin continues. “Frankie’s music and DJing style inspired me in a soulful, gospel, hands-in-the-air shouting kinda way and his productions were always crisp and polished. There are very few DJs where I can tell who it is playing before I even see them, and Frankie was that kind of DJ. He was 100 percent unique and his music will live on forever.”

Did you ever meet Frankie? If so, can you recall any of your interactions?

Cevin Fisher: Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting Frankie. I used to see him quite often at Sound Factory Bar in New York City. At the time I was working with Dave Shaw from Columbia/Warner Bros. and David Darlington from Bass Hit Studios. My fondest memory was when David Shaw and I walked into the DJ booth at Sound Factory Bar and gave Frankie a copy of Chaka Khan’s “Love You All My Lifetime” remix on acetate, and I remember Frankie dropping the needle on the track and he absolutely loved it! So much so that he must’ve played it for 30 minutes [laughs] over and over again and throughout the night. He really did know how to break a record, and as I watched him, I was totally blown away. He was so supportive, and whenever we would bring him our latest mixes, he would have a quick listen in his headphones and before you knew it, bam! He would drop it on the decks. Thank you, Frankie.

Tell us about the track list on your tribute mix. How did you go about programming the music?

I honestly felt like Frankie was in the room with me when I did the mix. I actually did it in a single take and the only edit in the mix is the layover of President Obama’s speech. Frankie’s tracks are very musical, and I know their might be some key clashes during the mixes, but I literally felt chills when I was mixing and I just had to roll with it. It was a very spiritual mix. Frankie has such a long discography and the search and programming could’ve gone on an on forever, but I really felt like going with my gut feeling on this mix, so when it came to selecting the songs, I just let it flow. Of course I wanted to include “Tears” and “The Whistle Song.” As I listened to a bunch of Frankie’s productions, I tried to find songs that could best deliver Frankie’s message. Songs like “Beautiful” and “Let Me Live Again,” for example. I wanted to include [Toni Braxton’s] “Un-Break My Heart,” which is a work of art. Unfortunately, “Un-Break My Heart“ didn’t make it onto the mix.

What goes through your mind now when you play an FK song like “Tears” or “The Whistle Song”? Isn’t it hard to come to accept that he’s gone?

Well, at some point the sadness turned to happiness. Frankie’s music does what music is supposed to do: It’s beautiful music, so when I hear a song by Frankie now, I just smile. It’s definitely hard to accept his passing, but the last time I saw Frankie was at Santos Party House and he was in the booth doing his thing, and he was professional, on point, classy, smiling and charming, as I always knew him.

Any final thoughts?

Extra special thanks to The Godfather of House. He worked hard and lived the dream and it’s great to know that he was respected, acclaimed and loved.

We hadn’t planned on venturing into Miami during this entire trip, except going to and from the airport, but with a scattered selection of parties in South Beach and then Option B: the Cosmic Gate Sunset Cruise party staring at us and calling our names, we just couldn’t say ‘no’ to Option B.

Meeting at 1:45pm for sign-in, and setting sail at 3:00pm sharp, we gathered with the growing crowd at the launching point with approximately 200 of our closest friends who were obviously ready for a great day of party cruising.

Welcomed onboard by a friendly crew and a table of complimentary “greeting cocktails” of punch and vodka, it was six hours of three artists, light fare for purchase, complimentary top shelf open bar (for all six hours) and a cruise into the most magnificent sunset experience of a lifetime.

Asked a month ago by the Cosmic Gate duo to play along side them on their sunset cruise, and with the support of his family, it was an opportunity Washington D.C.’s own Roberto Gonzalez could not pass.

He opened his set with White Apple Tree “Snowflakes” (Ping Pong remix) that established the perfect atmosphere and mood for the adventure to come. Still on that theme he went on to play Jose Gonzalez “Crosses” (Dinnerdate remix) and a magical remix of Wankelmut & Emma Louise “My Head Is A Jungle.” Cue up those three tracks alone, close your eyes, and imagine you’re on a sunset cruise, or on the beach, or in a tropical setting. In your mind they’ll really whisk you away to that place away from your day-to-day and you’ll practically feel and smell that fresh, ocean air. I don’t know how he managed to fashion a perfectly fitting mix, track after magical track, but it was heaven on earth (on the ocean).

Cosmic Gate, familiar with what their cruise sets have to offer, seemed busting to get on and share their set with the crowd of party revelers. Once on DJ duties the duo wowed the crowd with Above & Beyond “All Over The World” and Haxxy “Sophie” (Andrea Bertolini Remix.) Again, theirs proved to be a perfect example of the ideal stream of track selections to compliment the environment of the vibrant sunset, the ocean air, and the intimate but carousing crowd. Moments of subtle listing of the boat brought cheers of nervous exhilaration from the crowd but quickly passed without a lapse of reveling. Cosmic Gate went on to play their own “Yai” featuring JES on vocals, their storytelling “Over The Rainbow,” “Wild And Perfect Day” with the sultry vocals of Sarah Bettens, and another Cosmic Gate hit “Be Your Sound.” They began to wind down (if you could call it that,) with “On My Way To Heaven” and the inspirational “So Get Up.”

Ilan Bluestone closed out the night with his production hit “Ben Ben”, his collaboration with Jerome Isma Ae “Under My Skin,” and a remix of Bastille “Pompeii.” Only heard live courtesy of Anjuna artists (due to contractual agreement until the tour is over) we were treated (and it was indeed a treat) to the Maor Levi and Kevin Wild remix of London Grammar’s “Wasting My Young Years.” It practically caused tears of joy from the sheer glory that track has to offer, but also due to the fact that we began our (unfortunate) journey back to the docking point and back to reality.

The sunset cruise (this sunset cruise) might be one of the best events I’ve ever personally attended during Miami Music Week. It’s that perfect combination of electronic dance music (which is why many of us are down here in Miami and South Beach this time of year in the first place,) all while out in the setting of the open water, which reminds us that we’re in vacation mode. After so many glorious years attending Miami Music Week, how did I never do this before now? How will I ever party on dry land again? How will I ever do this again since word keeps spreading about the epicness of these amazing boat cruises and they will possibly become one of the hottest tickets in town? I think we’re going to need a bigger boat.

Sometimes boosting up and preparing for another day of partying in the sun, into sundown, then into sunrise means eating a leftover sub sandwich in your hotel fridge from the night before while multi-tasking and getting dressed.

It’s the third and final day at the W Hotel housed party of drinks, dancing and networking. This is possibly one of most stellar events during Miami Music Week for its ambiance, quality amenities and that up close experience with today’s hottest featured artists. Day three’s a-list ranged from Paris & Simo and Dannic to W&W and Hardwell.

The finale day went off without a hitch but held a sentimental surrealism to know this was the closing of such a memorable experience. To have met and networked with Internet radio entrepreneurs, artists, liquor distributors, various PR people and those who are launching promotion companies (this list includes our favorite bartender who remembered us from previous years) is a privileged experience. It’s one that inspires to observe these people who do what they love and love what they do….and do it well in the process and who are all a part of this binding community of music entertainment.

The crowd seemed to have warmed up in their comfort zone by day three, finally indulging in the pool experience. That’s an understatement — it was packed.

Meanwhile, in the cabana courtyard, Blasterjaxx had the crowd reeling in a slew of dance-party favorites both old and new like “Paradise” and “Love Comes Again” to this year’s unofficial hit of the year, “Faded.” Day three favored the genre and high energy of electro-house, which lent itself to an active and vigorous crowd.

For those insomniacs, ambitious fitness types and willing Kaskade fans, the artist posted an invitation on social media to meet at 11:30am at 5th and Ocean Drive to have a beach run with him posting the hashtag #neverrunalone. He discouraged cellphone pics and GoPro videos and asked for serious participation. As a reward for their efforts at the destination select fans were brought into the W Hotel SiriusXM’s Music Lounge for complimentary cocktails, a dip in the pool and the privileged, intimate show. Some sported their, “We Run Miami” T-shirts ecstatic in the too-good-to-be-true experience.

In the SiriusXM interview tent Paul van Dyk and Morgan Page performed their Q&A duties, while tyDi was seen wandering the cabana grounds mingling with guests.

Closing out the day doesn’t always have to be the party until sunrise (although, from experience is quite the experience). Sometimes it’s a quiet dinner at Oh! Mexico with a heaping bowl of guacamole and the Salmon Baja Style, then unwinding in the hotel hot tub in the middle of the night, reflecting on the days’ events, with a nightcap in-hand and a smile on my face.